Businesses had closed for the weekend when nineteen-year-old Wayne Brockbank Hales lined up with forty-three other runners across Salt Lake City’s Main Street, a stone’s throw from the temple. It was the afternoon of Saturday, December 6, 1913, and the temperature hovered just above freezing. In a moment, a pistol shot would signal the start of Salt Lake’s first “modified marathon,” a five-mile foot race through the city. Aside from a few “unaffiliated” runners, each athlete hailed from schools or gymnasiums along the Wasatch Mountains. Wayne, a physics major in his sophomore year, represented Brigham Young University.
I was fascinated by your story of Grandpa Wayne, as I knew him. He married my grandmother, Vivian, after their respective spouses passed away. I have fond memories of him but knew nothing about his athleticism as a young man nor of the hardships he experienced as a boy. Thank you for opening another window into the life of a man for whom I had enormous respect and love.
I was fascinated by your story of Grandpa Wayne, as I knew him. He married my grandmother, Vivian, after their respective spouses passed away. I have fond memories of him but knew nothing about his athleticism as a young man nor of the hardships he experienced as a boy. Thank you for opening another window into the life of a man for whom I had enormous respect and love.